Swiss Re Updates Life Guide with Longevity Drug Underwriting Guidance

Swiss Re has updated its Life Guide underwriting toolkit to include guidance on assessing life insurance applicants who use repurposed longevity drugs, such as metformin and rapamycin. These medications, originally developed for conditions like type 2 diabetes and organ transplant immunosuppression, are being explored for anti-aging purposes despite uncertain long-term effects. The Life Guide, used by over 800 insurers globally, assists underwriters by providing evidence-based recommendations to support consistent decision-making in the face of these emerging risks.

The update comes as part of Swiss Re’s ongoing efforts to adapt to new medical insights and risks, reflecting evolving trends in health and longevity treatments. With self-prescription and experimental use of such drugs increasing, Swiss Re emphasizes the need for practical and nuanced underwriting approaches, including applying ratings or referring cases for medical officer review when drug use is disclosed.

In addition to longevity drug guidance, Swiss Re’s Life Guide enhancements include improved risk assessment tools for chronic kidney disease and prostate cancer, reflecting comprehensive efforts to support underwriters in managing a wide range of medical risks. The integration of these tools supports more precise underwriting outcomes amid changing medical and regulatory environments.

Swiss Re’s position in global reinsurance and risk transfer positions it to monitor and respond to emerging health risks effectively. Their Life Guide facilitates underwriting consistency across multiple markets by enabling insurance companies to leverage updated clinical and actuarial research. This approach supports insurer resilience and helps align underwriting practices with current scientific knowledge.

The new underwriting guidance underscores the industry's need to address complexities introduced by off-label medication use in life insurance risk assessments. By offering structured frameworks, Swiss Re aids insurers in navigating uncertainty related to longevity drugs, which may impact policy pricing, risk classification, and claims management.